Computed tomography of small bowel obstruction.

Multidetector computed tomography (CT) is a powerful tool for the assessment of patients with small bowel obstruction (SBO). CT can provide important information about the cause and site of obstruction and the presence of a closed-loop obstruction or ischemia. Under investigation is the ability of CT to accurately identify patients without clear indications for urgent surgery who may benefit from earlier intervention. This article reviews the appropriate CT technique for assessment of SBO, common causes for obstruction, imaging findings in SBO, and the significance of those findings for determining whether a patient is likely to require surgical management for SBO.